si
TAB. XXIV. A.
CUCULUS INDICATOR.
C H A R A C T E R GENERICUS.
Roßrum teretiulculum.
'Nares margine prominulx.
Lingua faglttata, plana, integra.
Pedes fcanforii.
C H A R A C T E R SPECIFICÜS, &c.
C. caucla cuneiformi, corpore ferrugineo-grilèo, fubtus albido, humeris macula flava, re£tricibus
tribus esterioribus bafi macula nigra. LATH. IND. ORN. p. 218.
Cuculus Indicator. GMEL. SYST. NAT. i. p. 4r8.
G E N E R I C CHARACTER.
Bill fomewhat rounded (columnar).
Nofirils fomewhat prominent round the margin.
Tongue fagittate, flat, entire.
Feet formed for climbing (two toes forwards and two backwards).
S P E C I F I C CHARACTER, 8cc.
Ferruginous-grey Cuckow with cuneated tail, body white beneath, and (generally) a yellowidi
patch on the llioulders.
The Honey Guide. PHIL. TRANS, vol.67. P - P ' -
Honey-Ctickow. LATH. SYNOPS. vol. I. p. 533.
THE bird here figured, and which is a native of Africa, has acquired its name of Indicator,
or Informer, from a very lingular circnmftance. It is remarkably fond of honey; but as that
which is depofltcd in trees is generally fo fccured as not to be eafily acceffible, it gives notice
of the difcovery by its note, which is well underftood by the natives, who on fuch occafions
approach and take the honey, rewarding die bird with a part of the prize. Thele birds are
confidered as highly ufcful in thofe regions, and, in unfrequented places, often furnifli by this
means a very acceptable repaft to the traveller. Naturalifts are principally indebted for the
knowledtre of this bird and its curious manners to Dr. Sparrmann, who had frequent opportunities
of obferving it during his African refearches. Mr. Bruce, however, in his Abyffinian
travels, in a ftrain of poignant ridicule, denies the reality of its fuppofed informing faculty when
it meets with honey, and reprefents the whole as erroneous. Mr. Bruce calls the bird by the
name of Moroc, and his account of it is as follows.
lilt :